Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to continue to have to come back and re-evaluate this.
• We're going to continue to have to come back and re-evaluate this.
• We're going to continue to have to come back and re-evaluate this.
• We're going to continue to have to come back and re-evaluate this.
• Uh so I application is to all people.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a new program evaluator for us.
• Grant submissions are, are opening up or results on grant applications are being heard.
• So, it will have a very universal applications.
• Ah, for golf course irrigation and maybe for other applications.
• During the application process, our project was well vetted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The study would evaluate how carbon pricing might influence state energy costs in the short and long
• <00:06:09.000> how economy the study would evaluate how economy the study would evaluate how
• He said that is the evaluation of the externalities versus the benefits that fossil fuels provide for
• He said that is the evaluation of the externalities versus the benefits that fossil fuels provide for
• without fossil fuels and the evaluation without fossil fuels and the evaluation of<00:34:34.919>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• edit is that Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor, gave an overview of their 2018 voter registration evaluation
• gave an overview of their um 2018<00:01:09.119> voter<00:01:09.520> registration evaluation
• c> uh<00:01:14.360> representative<00:01:14.920> Lee<00:01:15.400> how evaluation
• They don't know how to evaluate that. What voters don't know is who those contributors are.
• They don't know how to evaluate that.

Bills: HF72, HF66, HF69, HF73

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• That's probably the primary criteria that we're evaluated on.
• And for an urban area, you should have dozens of applicants that want to run for that position.
• McDermott alluded to earlier, last year we supported an application that the Far West Texas Regional
• The second thing offices can do that acts in the current system is evaluate the performance of attorneys
• The second thing of the offices can do that acts in the current system is evaluate the performance of

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• , I know the City of Minneapolis put in an application that included the Kmart Redevelopment site on
• <00:12:54.440> and<00:12:55.199> for prepare their applications and for prepare their
• applications and for example<00:12:55.680> I<00:12:55.800> know<00:12:55.920> the
• Fresh Energy is evaluating the role hydrogen can play in building a carbon-neutral economy.
• um season as well so thank application um season as well so thank you<01:30:49.719> that's<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the bill also adds and or modifies certain guidance and requirements applicable to the plans as a
• Uh, the bill also adds and or modifies certain guidance and requirements applicable to the plans as a
• Uh, the bill also adds and or modifies certain guidance and requirements applicable to the plans as a
• <00:53:56.720> to guidance and requirements applicable to guidance and requirements applicable
• Committee by October 1 and Evaluation Committee by October 1 each<01:14:23.720> year<01:14:24.320

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, received an invocation from Pastor Shannon Watkins of Souls One Outreach Cathedral in Cumberland, and welcomed several guests and student pages. The chamber also announced the week’s schedule for the final days of session, including likely double sessions later in the week and a possible Saturday hold. Administrative items included the reading of House messages, a favorable executive nominations report that was special ordered for Tuesday, and the introduction of several House bills and Senate bills on the calendar. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 841, the Utility Relief Reducing Energy Load Information for Every Family Act. Senators discussed energy affordability, ratepayer relief, utility costs, data center growth, in-state generation, and the role of programs such as RGGI, EmPower, and the RPS. Supporters said the bill provides a comprehensive short- and long-term response, including consumer transparency and low-income relief, while critics argued it did not go far enough and should have included stronger relief or pauses on renewable energy mandates. After debate and several explanations of vote, the Senate passed SB 841 by a constitutional majority, 38-affirmative votes. Earlier in the session, Senate Bill 213 on state procurement transparency and procedures also passed with 40 affirmative votes. After SB 841 passed, the Senate took up House Bill 1532, a conforming companion to the utility relief measure. The committee offered an amendment to align HB 1532 with SB 841, the amendment was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed on third reading. Senators who explained their votes largely echoed the same themes from the SB 841 debate, with some emphasizing the need for more relief and others stressing the bill’s broader policy changes and regional energy-market constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task Force. Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task Force.
• Tell me what exactly is the Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task is the Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task is
• So what would quantum do to evaluate or or or make that do to evaluate or or or make that do to evaluate
• That means it's going to evaluate those different divisions to evaluate those different divisions to
• This is for applications just to they have to I know applications just to they have to I know applications

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• I just do want to note that exempt employees are considered applicable by the employer.
• I appreciate that DIR is doing the evaluations, digging deeper into this.
• that is digging deeper into evaluations that is digging deeper into this.<00:40:12.800> I<00:
• It establishes an evaluation and selection committee to oversee the awarding of grants.
• It requires an applicant for a grant to provide certain documentation on activities that qualify for

Bills: SB2198, SB2140, SB3055, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2761

Keywords: workforce development, craftspersons, skilled trades, artisan, craftsmanship, trade recognition, award program, DLIR, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, vocational education, career pathways, cultural preservation, workforce excellence, apprenticeship, Hawaii trades, economic diversification, public nominations, governor awards, historically significant venue

Transcript Highlights:

• Occupations Code to enact and enter into a physician assistant licensure compact with all other applicable
• Studies have evaluated cancer risk.
• cancers are also of interest because of elevated incidence and more research is needed to fully evaluate
• It is my job to evaluate the patient and determine the appropriate anesthesia to provide that patient
• I'm going to be talking about the application of nurse anesthetists.

Bills: HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794, HB46

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards

Transcript Highlights:

• This broadens the pool of qualified applicants without sacrificing safety.
• This broadens the pool of qualified applicants without sacrificing safety.
• This broadens the pool of qualified applicants without sacrificing safety.
• Um uh except as limited by 915 or other applicable law.
• as limited by 915 or other applicable as limited by 915 or other applicable law.<03:14:20.560>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• policy for the first 31 days of their life, and the insurance department has issued guidance on the application
• policy for the first 31 days of their life, and the insurance department has issued guidance on the application
• actuarial evaluation actuarial evaluation um<04:27:43.920> of<04:27:44.159> the<04
• <05:15:21.120> of<05:15:21.360> sound through the application of sound through the
• standards are needed to evaluate standards are needed to evaluate contingency<05:41:22.958> reserves

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expires the penalty for not meeting the applicable minimum ratio of professional instructional
• The bill sets out criteria for the division to evaluate.
• The bill sets out criteria for the division to evaluate applications.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage. The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29. The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies. A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• applications.
• part 40 and part 70 applications. in other applications, like, so there's part 40 and part 70 applications
• We talked over a couple of months, and I said, you know, they're starting to take applications.
• And I said, you know, they're starting to take applications. I know a few people there.
• The oil and gas industry has been very interested in using microreactors for remote applications.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Designation applications come to us from cities, counties, and tribal governments.
• We do implement a rigorous evaluation process for all of our funding applications, and the recommendations
• for the FY 26 application process can be found on pages five and six of the report that I've provided
• We do implement a rigorous evaluation process for all of our funding applications, and the recommendations
• <00:58:49.319> to while we encourage our applicants to while we encourage our applicants to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• exaction as any fee, dedication, or condition that is imposed by a municipality or county on an applicant
• It also states that the earned release credit statute is not applicable to a probationer who is currently
• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1825, Precinct Committeeman Vacancy Application.
• Madam Chair, Member, Senate Bill 1825, Precinct Commitemen, Vacancy, application.
• Madam Chair Member, Senate Bill 1825 Precinct Commitiamen Vacancy Application.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments. Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns. The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• timeframes to process these applicants.
• to process these applicants.
• Furthermore, applications can require additional time to review if the applicant has a criminal history
• Also, the authority in the bill to charge a fee to qualified applicants is unclear, as the board does
• not follow a different process when reviewing expedited applications.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements. Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs. The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the biggest problems with HB 1194 is that it disregards the portfolio evaluation process and a
• One of the biggest problems with HB 1194 is that it disregards the portfolio evaluation process and a
• to evaluate...
• to evaluate...
• Next we have Evaluation Center for Complex Health Interventions, providing comments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of their most important roles is helping schools evaluate their buildings for security.
• This legislation will provide an evaluation of the school's security system with a report back to the
• So the University of Pennsylvania will be conducting an evaluation of, I mean, obviously the numbers
• just want to make sure we have guidance in this language for the department as they're evaluating applications
• to<01:49:40.400> be evaluating applications for people to be evaluating applications for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this is requesting the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group to evaluate
• The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group to evaluate the establishment
• that should be part of the larger regional approach, and your board did in December reject the application
• <00:58:46.960> for<00:58:47.160> the<00:58:47.280> previous reject the application
• for the previous reject the application for the previous one<00:58:48.280> so<00:58:48.480>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard SR 18, which asks DLNR to transfer active agricultural land leases to the Department of Agriculture to support agriculture. DLNR, through Don Chang, opposed the resolution, saying the department has already been transferring parcels by mutual agreement and should not be required to transfer lands it does not consent to. Ranchers and agricultural advocates strongly supported the measure, arguing that the lands are active production areas, that partial transfers would undermine ranching operations, and that water infrastructure built by ranchers must be protected. Testimony from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and others emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural land for food production, wildfire management, and long-term ranch viability. Committee members pressed both sides on acreage, specific parcels, and whether negotiations were still ongoing, with DLNR later clarifying that some parcels remain under negotiation and that some proposed transfers have been narrowed or adjusted. Several specific ranches and parcels were discussed, including Batello, Diamond B, Delo, Nobriga, and Kapala Ranch. Witnesses described the operational importance of water systems, grazing areas, and access routes, and said that losing productive acreage would threaten business viability. Some members expressed concern that the proposal appeared to transfer productive land while leaving less useful land with ranchers, and urged the department to continue transparent negotiations and consider the practical impact on agriculture and conservation. A DLNR representative said some transfers were tied to other needs, such as transportation mitigation, and not to a broader effort to take more land. The Department of Agriculture later stated it supports the intent of the measure, but suggested its concerns would likely be addressed if the resolution were narrowed to the specific parcels at issue. The chair also announced that the related House bill on the same subject remains alive and will be heard by Water and Land on Thursday. After concluding SR 18, the committee moved on to SCR 51 and SR 33, which seek a working group to evaluate establishing and administratively placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development indicated support for the concept, noting the office’s value in Maui wildfire recovery efforts.